Powell: Neocons "fucking crazies"

[newsguyatl]

Colin Powell in four-letter neo-con 'crazies' row

Martin Bright
Sunday September 12, 2004

The Observer

A furious row has broken out over claims in a new book by BBC broadcaster James Naughtie that US Secretary of State Colin Powell described neo-conservatives in the Bush administration as 'fucking crazies' during the build-up to war in Iraq.
Powell's extraordinary outburst is alleged to have taken place during a telephone conversation with Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. The two became close friends during the intense negotiations in the summer of 2002 to build an international coalition for intervention via the United Nations. The 'crazies' are said to be Vice-President Dick Cheney, Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his deputy, Paul Wolfowitz.

Last week, the offices of Powell and Straw contacted Public Affairs, the US publishers of Naughtie's book, to say they would vigorously deny the claims if publication went ahead. But as no legal action was threatened, the US launch of the book, The Accidental American: Tony Blair and the Presidency, will proceed as planned this week.

Naughtie stands by his claims and is said to be privately delighted that Powell and Straw have reacted so violently to the suggestion that the former US general had fallen out with the 'neo-cons'.

more http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,5014153-110878,00.html

[speedoo]

1. Gee, I was starting to think Powell was stupid.

Seems he at least got something right.... tee hee!

[gmoney]

2. Well put, Colin

Succinct, and accurate. There may be hope for you yet.

[morgan2]

3. the same phrase

george hw bush used to describe them.

[Disturbed]

5. He's correct so...

why did he go to the UN and lie for them?

[diddlysquat]

4. So why is he still there? n/t

[foo_bar]

10. to undermine le shrub?

Powell at least has a conscience, even if he rarely heeds it.

The other day, Secretary of State Colin Powell was reminded that his boss is in bed by ten and sleeps like a baby. Powell reportedly replied, "I sleep like a baby, too — every two hours I wake up screaming." The President's serenity is more worrying than the General's anxiety is comforting. And the storm approaches.

http://www.newyorker.com/talk/content/?030210ta_talk_hertzberg

[KelleyKramer]

6. Well, it didn’t stop him from lying his ass off at the UN

Personally I think reports like this are an attempt from the neocons to portray Powell to the 'real' Republicans as a 'centrist' in the Bush cabal.

There were similar reports that before the UN speech, Powell yelled 'this is bullshit' and threw the papers.

But that didn’t stop him from going before the world at the UN and lying his ass off.

And no matter how many 'leaks' about Powells private comments, the difference between words and actions, Powells official public actions have been just as lying and deceiving as Cheney, Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, Rice and the rest of them.

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. I woonder what skeletons are in Colin's closet? EOM

[Senior citizen]

9. Don't know, but he must have some skeletons to get where he is.

If they can't control you, they destroy you. Or at least your career. His career stayed on course, so they've got something on him that ensures absolute control.

[Ladyhawk]

12. I bet it has something to do with his Vietnam service. n/t

[crickets]

13. My Lai coverup? - or worse, perhaps (nt)

[mitchum]

15. He's feathering a very plush nest for his useless son...

Michael wants to fall up from The FCC to Attorney General (after Ashcroft's SCOTUS appointment)

[proud patriot]

8. yeah well he covered up for the crazies when he went before the U.N.

:grr: what's worse a crazy person or a sane person
who does the bidding of the crazies?

[Fire Bush]

11. Attn Colin Powell

If you really want to redeem yourself you have no other choice but to resign before the election and renounce this administration. Otherwise history will forever see you as just another crony for the worst administration in U.S. history.

[Swamp Rat]

14. The ol' good cop/bad cop routine, eh? Once an alien lizard,

Always an alien lizard.

[mitchum]

16. Only proves just how despicable Powell is

I wish people would quit pretending that he possesses even a shred of decency or honor.

[Dangerman]

17. Mr. Powell...

It's too little, too late to redeem yourself.

You still went to the United Nations and lied about Saddam and Iraq's WMDs. You should be held responsible for misleading us to an illegal and unnecessary war just like your boss is.

Like the old saying goes... "You break it, you bought it."

[smirkymonkey]

18. Well, he has a point, you know.

He is right on target with that statement, despite his other flaws.